Echeveria plant named &#39;andromeda&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Echeveria  cultivar named ‘Andromeda’ is disclosed, characterized by large rosettes comprised of an abundance of ruffled, silvery blue-violet leaves, margined with pink. Further, the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ produces complex inflorescences, comprised of 3-5 cincinni, composed of 17-21 flowers each, resulting in profuse flowering. 2.4 cm long flowers produced are exceptionally large for the genus. Robust growth, enhancing production intervals in the commercial nursery. Plants are landscape tolerant in temperate areas, and grow quickly to over 20″ in diameter. The new variety is an  Echeveria , part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes  Aeonium, Crassula, Graptopetalum, Pachyphytum, Sedum  and others.  Echeveria  is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants for the patio or as landscape plants, as a variety of ornamental purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echeveria hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘ANDROMEDA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Echeveria ‘Andromeda’, is the product of a plannedbreeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination ofthe proprietary, unpatented, seed parent, Echeveria ‘AFT 17’ with thepollen parent, an unpatented, proprietary variety of Echeveria referredto as ‘OP1.’ The cross pollination was made during May 2011 in Vista,Calif., at a commercial greenhouse. The new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ wasdiscovered by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, in March 2012, in Vista,Calif., at a commercial greenhouse.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ was first performedin Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by terminal vegetativecuttings in 2012. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ has since produced multiplegenerations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Andromeda’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ANDROMEDA’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ANDROMEDA’ as a new and distinct Echeveriacultivar:

-   -   1. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ displays large rosettes, comprised of        an abundance of silvery blue violet, somewhat undulate, crispate        leaves that are margined with pink.    -   2. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ produces complex inflorescences,        composed of 3-5 cincinni, each with 17-21 flowers, resulting in        a profusely flowering Echeveria.    -   3. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ produces 2.4 cm long flowers, which are        exceptionally large for the Echeveria genus    -   4. The quantity of flowers, in combination with the size of the        flowers displayed by Echeveria ‘Andromeda’, creates a        spectacular floral display.    -   5. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ is landscape tolerant in temperate        areas, and quickly grows to over 20″ in diameter, adding a        colorful accent to the landscape or garden.    -   6. Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ produces robust growth, thereby        reducing production intervals in the commercial nursery.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ are similar to the seed parentEcheveria ‘AFT 17’ in most horticultural characteristics. However,plants of the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ form rosettes that grow to 20″ ormore in diameter, much larger as compared with the rosettes of the seedparent Echeveria ‘AFT 17’. In addition, the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’exhibits a more complex inflorescence with 3-5 cincinni or more of 17-20flowers each, resulting in a spectacular floral display, not exhibitedby the seed parent Echeveria ‘AFT 17’. Plants of the new cultivar‘Andromeda’ have much larger flowers, with corollas over 20 mm inlength, as compared with the smaller flowers of the seed parentEcheveria ‘AFT 17’. The new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ grows moderately fast,enhancing propagation and production times, as compared with the slowergrowth of the seed parent Echeveria ‘AFT 17’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ are similar to the pollen parent,the unpatented variety Echeveria ‘OP11’, in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However, the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ displays largerflowers than those borne by the pollen parent ‘OP 11’. In addition, thenew cultivar ‘Andromeda’ produces complex inflorescences, with 3-5cincinni composed of 17-20 flowers each, creating a spectacular floraldisplay, not displayed by the pollen parent Echeveria ‘OP11’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Echeveria subrigida. Plants of the Echeveriasubrigida are similar to plants of the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’displays a more concentric rosette, enabling shipping without damage,whereas Echeveria subrigida produces rosettes of longer leaves thatextend over the edge of the pot and are more prone to breakage duringshipping. In addition, the new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ produces complexinflorescences of 3-5 cincinni, comprised of 17-20 large flowers each,resulting in a spectacular floral display, not exhibited by Echeveriasubrigida.

The new cultivar ‘Andromeda’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Echeveria ‘Strawberry Hearts’. Plants of theEcheveria ‘Strawberry Hearts’ are similar to plants of the new cultivar‘Andromeda’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, the newcultivar ‘Andromeda’ form large, low-growing rosettes of 20″ indiameter, as compared to Echeveria ‘Strawberry Hearts’, which producesrosettes that tend to grow upward, rather than laterally, and eventuallybecoming top-heavy rosettes atop tall stems. Plants of the cultivar‘Andromeda’ produce complex inflorescences of 3-5 cincini , comprised of17-20 larger flowers each, resulting in spectacular floral displays, notexhibited by Echeveria ‘Strawberry Hearts’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 illustrate in fullcolor typical plants of ‘ANDROMEDA’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista,Calif. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques andequipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variancesof color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (lightreflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventionalphotographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differslightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colors of the new Echeveria plant. The followingphotographs depict plants grown under natural light conditions of2500-4000 foot-candles. Temperatures ranged from −1° C. to 29° C. nightand day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color the top view of a rosette typical ofplants of Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color the side view of a rosette typical ofplants of Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inVista, Calif.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a top view of the inflorescence typicalof plants of Echeveria ‘Andromeda’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inVista, Calif.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the PantoneProcess Color System Guide, Pantone CYMK, 2014, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The followingobservations and measurements describe ‘Andromeda’ plants in acommercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from −1° C.to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatmentsor chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural lightconditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrid ‘ANDROMEDA’-   Propagation:    -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Terminal vegetative            cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 14 days at approximately 24°            C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 4 months.        -   Container size of the plant described.—19.5 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Densely rosette plant.        -   Height.—Approximately 19.5 cm to top of highest leaf.            Approximately 71.0 cm. to top of highest inflorescence.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 36 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast.        -   Branching characteristics.—Infrequently until approximately            12 inches in diameter. At this size, plants begin to produce            offsets.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Rosulate. Average length: Approximately            14 cm. Longest 21 cm Average width: 8.0 cm Widest width:            Approximately 12 cm. Width at base: 2.6 cm. Shape of blade:            Obovate Apex: Acute, mucronate. Base: Elliptical Margin:            Slightly undulate crispate. Texture of top surface:            Glabrous, glaucous. Texture of bottom surface: Glabrous,            glaucous. Quantity of leaves per plant: Approximately 57.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side, middle of leaf: Near S            326-6 Pantone. Some areas of S 327-5 Pantone. Young foliage,            upper side, margin near apex: Near S 142-4 Pantone. Young            foliage, upper side, margin mid leaf: Near S 148-8 Pantone.            Young foliage, under side: Near S 327-7 Pantone; if glaucous            layer is removed, near S 329-4 Pantone. Young foliage, under            side: Near S 327-7 Pantone; if glaucous layer removed, near            S 329-4 Pantone. Mature foliage, upper side: Near S 281-8            Pantone; near S 298-6 Pantone, where glaucous coating has            been removed. Mature foliage upper side, mid leaf: Near S            325-5 Pantone. Mature foliage, apical margin: Near S 121-2            Pantone to S 121-1 Pantone. Mature foliage, under side: Near            S 159-15 Pantone & S 159-6 Pantone. Mature foliage, under            side, apical margin: Near S 166-3 Pantone. Mature foliage,            under side, near stem: Near S 160-11 Pantone. Venation:            There is no visual appearance of venation.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—May and June.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Erect inflorescence composed            of 3-5 cincinii of 17-20 flowers each.        -   Rate of flower opening.—1 flower opens every 2-3 days.        -   Flower Longevity on plant.—3-4 days, depending upon ambient            temperatures.        -   Quantity of flowers.—68 Total Inflorescence size: Height:            Approximately 48 cm. Width: Approximately 18 cm. Corolla:            Arrangement: Pentagonal Size: Length: Approximately 2.4 cm.            Width: Approximately 1.5 cm at widest point. Lobe Length:            Approximately 2.2 cm. Lobe width: Approximately 0.7 cm.            Petals: Color: When opening: Petal color, outer surface:            Near S 156-6 Pantone. Petal color, outer surface, near apex:            Near S 151-4 Pantone. Petal color, inner surface: Near S            90-3 Pantone. Petal color, inner apex: Near S 98-1 Pantone.            Fully opened: Outer surface: Near S 129-5 Pantone. Inner            surface, near base: Near S 90-4 Pantone. Inner surface, near            apex: Near S 90-2 Pantone. Color Changes when Aging: Near S            138-3 Pantone. Bud: (near opening): Shape: Conical. Length:            Approximately 1.8 cm Diameter: Approximately 1.2 cm Color:            Near S 129-5. Apex near S 172-4 Pantone. Sepals: Margin:            Entire. Shape: Deltoid Apex: Acute. Texture: Glabrous.            Color: Outer corolla: Near S 187-7 Pantone. Inner corolla:            Near S 195-7 Pantone. Pedicels: Length: Approximately 0.9 cm            Width: Approximately .2 cm. Strength: Strong, flexible.            Texture: Glabrous Color: Near S 49-7 Pantone. Fragrance:            None detected.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—(Androecium) Number: Average 10 Filament Length:            Approximately 1.1 cm. Filament Color: Near S 32-6 Pantone            Anther length: 2.0 cm. Anther Color: Near S 321-4 Pantone.            Anther Shape: Oblong. Pollen Color: Near S 18-5 Pantone.        -   Pistil.—(Gynoecium) Number: Average 5 Length: Approximately            1.3 cm. Style Color: Near S 137-8 Pantone. Stigma: Shape:            Globose. Color: Near S 317-8 Pantone Ovary Color: Near S            148-7 Pantone, blending to S 148-4 Pantone nearing style.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Fruits and seeds.—Typical to Genus. Minute, less than 1 mm            dry seeds. Colored between black and brown, too small to            accurately measure with color chart.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from            approximately −2° C. to at least 35° C.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance or            susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Echeveria has            been observed.        -   Drought tolerance.—Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high            temperatures without supplemental water, showing no serious            damage to plant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plantnamed ‘ANDROMEDA’ as herein illustrated and described.